This is my first NGD or in this case new to me. All my guitars except the PCH have been used or demos. I am a Covid Caballero having finally taken the step to learn to play. So this is probably not useful to the seasoned on this forum.

My guitar arrived from Dave’s Wednesday.  It was very hot here in Chicago land and the box was extremely warm to the touch.  I had to sign which was a nice and got it into the AC to cool down. I had 5 hours or so of work so I let it acclimate.  

I have been lucky in buying used or demos my E6D had the plastic on the pickguard and the PRS had the pickups covered. Essentially new.

Not this time. The guitar was packed well. The new cases are a huge step up. When I opened it and pulled the guitar out there was no plastic on the pickguard. In fact it looked someone took a saw to it. But the top was pristine and the b/s were radiant.  The strings were spent so I hustled to a local shop and grabbed some Martin SP 80/20s.  I have an order coming from strings and beyond Saturday.  I restrung it played a bit but let the strings settle til the next day.

Got up early and was really disappointed.  It sounded dead.  I was considering sending it back. On a whim I took it to Down Home Guitars and had them look at the set up.  The luthier said the neck looked ok but the saddle looked off. He did a quick set and suggested going with uncoated/untreated strings so He Put Martin uncoated 80/20s, tweaked the neck lowered the action.  Magic.  It was like night and day. He said it looked like saddle was brand new and was not flattened or shaped. He took it back and made few other adjustments to the nut slots and gave it back. It sings.

I have huge hands. The neck is perfect. The edges have rolled and the fretwork is impeccable. And to my surprise it is light. Much lighter than the 6 and just a tad heavier than my J 45.  

A few thoughts:

1. The finish is definitely the truetone. Noticeably thinner than the 6.  The smell is less obtrusive.
2. There are visible swirl marks on the b/s.  I think due to the lining of the case. They follow a pattern similar to the motion of removing the guitar from the case.  Also could be the lining material is coarser.
3.  I had recently played a Martin Special 16 rosewood.  It had that tone of an HD 28. This is a bit similar. Not quite there but close. And closer than the Special 16.
4. I have thought the 6 sounded less vintage and more toward but not at the Taylor modern sound. The TC top moves this back toward a more vintage sound but retaining the note clarity Eastman is known for. 
5. I will replace the pg polish it up and see if the swirling continues. If it does meh.  I like to play not polish.

I now own an all solid rosewood sitka dread that sounds fantastic and got it at a great price.  Now to see if the pics work.

So, I'm wondering if there are some containers full of Eastman Guitars ???

Might we see some stocks in European dealers soon?

Will the instruments be OK after such a ling time in middle- eastern and Mediterranean climes?

mmm, chin scratcher! What think you?

Ol'Andy

Those early albums rocked with loads of Texas blues and shuffle lines and expanded the idea of the power trio. As a guitarist, I was always drawn to Billy Gibbons, but it was that monstrous rhythm duo underneath that made ZZ Top work. I just watched their Netflix documentary last month and will probably stream it again this weekend.

No comment on the pricing. No knowledge of the seller or guitars, but here is a way to jump start a small Eastman collection. (Not Concept Store level but a good start)

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/foru...p?t=621953

Hadn't listened to any of his music for a long time and stumbled across this video and thought I'd share. What an amazing artist he was!

https://youtu.be/FJ85Hep0kD0

Anyone have experience with Waterloo guitars?  Watched a couple of demos of their WL 14 and thought they have some potential!

I was looking at Eastman OM's for a next guitar sometime next year, ideally mahogany with spruce top. Anyway, browsing a ebay yesterday I came across an Eastman E60M TC for a very reasonable price. As my luck would have it the vendor lived just 4 miles away. It was really too good to miss so one click and a phone call later I was on my way. The guitar is 4 months old and the vendor was clearing some of his collection of guitars, the Eastman not having been played much since purchase. It is in mint condition and plays beautifully, very good tone and well balanced. I think the E20D may have to take a bit of a back seat for a while as the OM is exactly the sound I am looking for currently. The neck, scale length and nut width are perfect for finger picking (for me) and it flat picks and strums very well. Glad I took the plunge and didn't dither as I would have missed an absolute bargain! (also my wife said I would need to get another Lakota strap so I know she doesn't really mind another guitar and case in the house).
[img]IMG_20210727_084726 by Ian Smith, on Flickr[/img]

[IMG]

Hi all... here's my latest, nylon string this time!  Thank you for listening

Hey all,

I came across this forum early last year and have been a lurker for some time and figure I would try my luck here. I've played several Eastmans over the past few years but never personally owned one and figured it's time I do. I'm looking for a very specific trade and thought this forum may be one of my best bets of finding it. I've also posted this to my local (Denver) craigslist as well as Facebook Marketplace but thought this may be an even better place in case someone may be looking for a similar trade. If this isn't the right place, let me know and I can take the post down.

I have a near-mint Sigma Limited S000B-45VS+ that I would like to trade for an all solid small or mid-bodied Eastman. I've listed a couple that I have my eyes on but if you have something else you'd like to trade, I'd certainly be open to it. Here is some info about the Sigma, but of course, let me know if you have any questions (link to images below).

The guitar is a limited production from 2018 with just 48 ever produced. It is all solid wood (European Alpine Spruce top and African Blackwood back and sides) with ornate inlays and Grover butterbean tuners. The guitar is in great condition, is an exceptionally great playing guitar with very unique tonewoods and is quite the looker. In particular, the solid African Blackwood on the back is absolutely stunning as is the mahogany neck and the inlay work and binding. I've included the full specs at the bottom of this page - see a handful of pics attached of the striking looks. I can send more as requested as well. There are also several more in the Craigslist post below (if that is not allowed, I will remove as advised).

The guitar is a 000 size but it is more akin to the early Martin 000 shape, not the more modern 000 or OM size they are currently producing - think of a 00 size just made larger and you'll have the shape of this guitar. Due to the tonewoods and size, this guitar is midrange forward with a lovely ringing and chiming tone. It is truly unique to anything else I've ever played.

I'm sure many of you here are aware of the Sigma history. As of now, guitars under the Sigma name are generally unavailable in the US due to Sigma only being distributed in foreign markets (currently). They distribute AMI to the states but their limited line is strictly Sigma. Their lack of US distribution has naturally made them that much rarer in the US.

The guitar comes with its original case which fits like a glove and is itself a great piece of craftsmanship. I've included the detailed specs below. Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or if you'd like to offer another guitar for trade. 

For additional images see here: https://denver.craigslist.org/msg/d/denv...08733.html

Body Size: 000-12 Fret
Construction: Dovetail Neck Joint
Top: European Alpine Spruce
Back & Sides: Solid Blackwood
Neck: Mahogany, Modified V
Nut & Saddle: Bone
Fingerboard: Solid Black Ebony
Headplate: Solid Blackwood w/ flamed Maple Binding and b/w inlay
Scale Length: 25.4” (645 mm)
Neck width at nut: 1-3/4” (44,5 mm)
Tuning Machines: Grover Gold Side Mounts
Knobs: Butterbean Knobs
Finish: High Gloss
Case: SC-0012 Deluxe Case (black)

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